Welcome to the Path2Empathy! Thank you for encouraging your child on this quest to discover the power of empathy.

Our hope is to change trends of aggression to self and others in our schools through the positive and proactive approach of empathy. In the 1990's a group of neuroscientists discovered the human brain is hardwired to feel and express empathy. Like any other function of the brain, the more the skill is practiced, the easier and more automatic it is to live. When expressed: empathy is proactive on issues such as aggression of any kind, social injustice, and harm to self and others through violence. Our goal is for students to exercise their empathy (mirror) neurons to create lasting change for themselves and those around them. Here are some things you should know about what your child will experience on the Path2Empathy:

No student will ever be labeled (the words "bully", "victim", "bystander" ect. are never used in the Path2Empathy Program)

We build a foundation on self-respect and respect for others

We equip students with coping and resiliency skills

We empower students with gratitude as fuel for the journey

The students will know what is destroying empathy and how to protect it

They will be challenged to walk in another's shoes through experiential learning activities

We encourage and educate on how to create empathy opportunities at home, our school and community

School staff will model the activities by taking the empathy challenges with the students

You are your child's first and best teacher. Here are some ways you can partner and encourage them on their Path2Empathy

Provide support for your student during challenge week

Participate in the challenge activities with them

Ask questions about what they are learning

Find big or small empathy opportunities for your student to participate in (helping out a neighbor, bringing them to a nursing home, writing a letter to a grandparent, helping a younger sibling with homework)